The concept of matching supply with demand seems straightforward enough, but it's not that simple. In fact, it's a strategic balancing act that requires you to walk a tightrope between what your customers want and the inventory investment required to meet that demand. For more than 30 years I have been fascinated with inventory optimization and supply chains in general. Before I joined Manhattan Associates, I worked for 13 years in store operations and merchandising for a 1000-store retail drug chain. So, I know firsthand — from the scars on my back — the challenges retailers face.

Now that I'm on the technology side, I believe our clients want to focus on being successful merchants and generating profits for their organization — while our systems do the heavy inventory optimization lifting for them. As the Senior Director of Product Strategy for Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimization at Manhattan Associates, I'm in a position to translate my firsthand knowledge and experience into practical solutions. I look forward to helping you.

During college, I worked in all areas of the supply chain, from order picking to receiving and inventory management. Eventually I was a buyer for 16 years and a director of purchasing, working across the pharmaceutical, grocery, automotive and retail industries. My favorite part about being a buyer was finding ways to reduce inventory while keeping our customers satisfied.

After nearly 30 years in the supply chain industry, I serve as the Director for Industry Solutions at Manhattan Associates. My team specializes in Demand Forecasting and Replenishment, working with prospective and active clients to review their distribution networks and replenishment processes. We demonstrate how Manhattan's Demand Forecasting and Replenishment solutions can help them achieve success. With the means to slash inventory levels and achieve dramatic reductions in per-unit replenishment costs, customers' expectations are met. At Manhattan, I have the opportunity to improve the lives of buyers by providing better tools that leverage their talents and expertise. That's the best part about my job now.

As a replenishment buyer and purchasing group manager in the automotive and HVAC industries, I learned the value of solid inventory management principles and their importance in the overall supply chain. It's a difficult challenge to maintain customer expectations while managing an inventory budget. Purchasing and replenishment teams should be viewed as inventory asset managers that can deliver unforeseen profits to the company's bottom line. However, they seldom receive this recognition and constantly take the fall for numerous inventory issues.

With almost 20 years in the supply chain industry, I've successfully managed more than 60 multi-site implementations. I currently serve as Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimization Solutions Consultant for Manhattan Associates. I've been on both sides of the negotiating table and find it quite gratifying to work collaboratively with our clients to achieve their objectives. And in so doing, we're able to elevate the position of the purchasing and replenishment teams to become not only asset managers, but company assets as well.

My first job out of college was a Buyer for a large apparel retailer. I learned pretty quickly the importance of analytical skills and how to apply them to improving the sales performance of our stores. As I moved up the "supply chain" as Director of Planning and Allocation at Orchard Supply Hardware, analyzing product replenishment became even more challenging. Though dealing with an array of merchants could be taxing at times, I loved working through the analytic process.

After more than 10 years in the supply chain industry, I've implemented a variety of solutions that have focused on demand forecasting, replenishment and allocation. At Manhattan Associates, I have the good fortune to work with a great team that also thrives on the concept of matching supply with demand. We help companies like yours predict inventory needs more accurately and adapt to changing demand patterns across the entire distribution network. I still have fun with the analysis process. But now I'm armed with Manhattan's arsenal of Demand Forecasting and Replenishment solutions to ensure that my instincts are on target.

The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies as a result of teaching. To maximize the return on your investment in supply chain solutions, your people need the appropriate training to implement and use them confidently and quickly. Training matters. After 16 years in the supply chain industry, six as a buyer, I've learned the importance of training and the impact it has on an organization's profitability.

As a Principal Training Consultant for Manhattan Associates Professional Services Organization, I specialize in Inventory Optimization and have served as the primary education instructor for more than ten years. We provide a flexible, hands-on education program designed for rapid results. I've delivered training for approximately 70 percent of our customer base in a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical, grocery, automotive electronics, sporting goods and others. I believe my experience as an Inventory Management Analyst, Senior Buyer and Expeditor provided the foundation for my educational training skills. I'm ready to bring my real-world experience and supply chain expertise to your next project.

For more than 22 years I was a buyer in the wine and spirits, electrical supply and grocery industries, experiencing all the highs and lows the position has to offer. I had the opportunity to become very familiar with every aspect of the organization, which I would rank among the highs. On the downside, most companies consider their buyers the "Rodney Dangerfields" of their business. They get no respect. If buyers get caught with too little inventory, the results are rush charges, express delivery fees and unhappy customers. But when too much product is ordered, expenses increase and there's a great risk of write-offs for obsolete or expired goods.

Buyers need an edge to be successful. As a Principal Consultant with Manhattan Associates, I'm able to apply my experience in the supply chain industry to help our clients optimize their inventory. When buyers and inventory managers achieve that edge, they also experience a higher level of job satisfaction. And yes, respect – not only from upper management, but across their entire supply chain. Eat your heart out Rodney Dangerfield.